Planes and ships from across Asia are continuing a massive search for the Malaysian jetliner that vanished early Saturday with 239 people on board. Rescuers are currently searching off the coast of Vietnam.

Wood grew up in northeast Oklahoma City on Reveille Road only a few blocks away from the OC campus. “His father Aubrey … taught the first computer class at this campus back in the 1960s,” Dr. Bill Goad, Executive Vice President of Oklahoma Christian, told KOCO 5’s Kim Passoth.

Goad has known Wood and his family for more than 30 years. “He was a wonderful person … he loved to travel,” Goad said.

Wood’s lifelong love of adventure can be traced back to his family's move to Germany when he was in high school. “I was part of a mission team that went out from Oklahoma Christian University to German and stayed with his family,” said Goad.

Wood returned to Oklahoma for college and attended one of Goad’s classes. According to Goad, Wood was an “excellent student,” earning his degree in math computer science in 1985. Like his father, Wood went to work for IBM.

“His job with IBM took him multiple places around the world. He was in the process of being transferred from Beijing to Malaysia,” Goad said.

A text from a friend Saturday afternoon informed Goad that Wood was aboard the missing plane. “I was actually driving at the time. It was like a gut punch,” Goad said.

Those at Wood's Christian alma mater who knew him said they are deeply shaken but said they thank God for their time with Wood. “He loved the world, he loved everyone,” said Goad.

Wood’s parents were founding members of the church next to the OC campus, the Memorial Road Church of Christ. There is no word yet on whether any memorial ceremonies are planned.